Meet our Team
Dr. Lindsey Rockwood, DVM, cVMA
Dr. Rockwood was born and raised off highway 68 and after being away at school for many years, she has returned to the immediate area. For as long as she can remember, she has always wanted to be a veterinarian and has always had a love and respect for all animals. As a child, her family would bring their pets to see Dr. Susan Parry at Toro Park and she has fond memories of always having a positive experience at the hospital.
Dr. Rockwood completed her prerequisite courses at Colorado University, Boulder and UC Davis with a major in Animal Biology and minor in Spanish. While living in Davis, she volunteered and later worked for the University's Teaching Hospital as a technician in the Large Animal Intensive Care Unit, caring for critically ill patients including horses, premature foals, llamas, alpacas, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs. The skills acquired as an ICU technician definitely helped her through veterinary school. Dr. Rockwood graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, and has been practicing on the Monterey Peninsula ever since. Her special interests include acupuncture and rehabilitation, soft tissue surgery, dentistry and oral surgery, and nutritional management of medical conditions.
Dr. Rockwood is very passionate about her career, but in her free time she enjoys outdoor activities with her son. He has become an avid lover of snowboarding, hiking, and camping - just like his mom! Her fur family includes a cute young Chihuahua mix, a young sweet Golden Retriever and a sweet lovable cat that enjoys playing with the dogs.
Years in Practice: 12
Education: Colorado University, Boulder Colorado, UC Davis, and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians- Fort Collins Colorado
Dr. Heart Dominguez, DVM
Dr. Heart Dominguez joined Toro Park Animal Hospital in May 2018. He started his career at Silverado Veterinary Hospital, a high volume, nine doctor private practice in Napa, CA and then joined the SPCA for Monterey County in 2016 where he had the opportunity to hone his surgical skills. He enjoys focusing in practice on brachycephalic breeds, which include all short snout breeds such as Pugs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and French Terriers as well as abdominal ultrasound in cats and dogs.
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, he attended University of Oregon and then CSU Monterey Bay to earn his BS in Biology, becoming the first CSUMB graduate to be accepted to, as well as graduate from, veterinary school. He earned his DVM degree at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Prior to following his heart’s desire (pun intended) to become a vet, he had an extensive career in the hospitality industry and thus prides himself on his customer service skills. Having married a Monterey Peninsula native, he and his wife were overjoyed to return to the area along with their daughter, son and adopted Pug, Phooey.
In his free time, Dr. Dominguez enjoys traveling, fine dining, training for triathlons, solving Rubik’s cubes and making his children giggle.
Years in Practice: 4
Education: University of Oregon, CSU Monterey Bay, and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Brianne
Practice Manager
Brianne was raised in Reno, Nevada and has lived on the peninsula for 10 years. She grew up loving dogs, but her parent's wouldn't allow her to have a dog until she moved out. The first thing she did when she moved out was adopting a pitbull-weinerdog named Monkey who lived to be 18 years old! When she moved to Monterey, CA she got a Boston Terrier, Clark, who was the love of her life until he recently passed away in December of 2018. She now has another Boston Terrier, Carter Hall, you can usually find him at the hospital with her every day.
In her off-work hours Brianne is a professional mountain biker who is passionate about getting more girls on bikes and into the sport of cycling. She is also the proud volunteer coach of the successful local Salinas High School cycling team for the last 10 years.
Favorite Book: Anything Malcolm Gladwell, Racing in the Rain
Years in Practice: 1
Brad
Operations Manager, CVA
Brad is our Operations Manager and has lived on the peninsula for 27 years.
He is married with two girls and lives on a five acre ranch with 2 dogs, 3 cats, 9 ducks, 12 chickens, 4 goats, 1 pig, 4 birds and 3 fish tanks. In his off time you can find him gardening, playing table top games and building aquaponics systems as well as spending time with his family.
Favorite Book: The Name of the Wind
Years in Practice: 17
Sandra
Lead Kennel
Sandra is our wonderful Kennel Lead. She was born in Tacoma Washington, but quickly moved to Salinas and has been a resident for 48 years.
She has Lobo the Siberian Husky who is the center of her world. Over the years she's had cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, African Sulcuta Tortoise and fish. Her dream goal would be to work with wolves. In her off time she's with Lobo and her husband either at the beach or river. She also loves to go to all the monster truck events that she can every year.
Favorite book : White Fang
Years in Practice: 7
Carol
Veterinary assistant
Carol is one of our Certified Veterinary Assistants. She was born in Carmel and has lived on the peninsula her whole life.
She has 2 dogs and 4 chickens. In her off time you can find her gardening or planning her future living in a small house and spending time with her family.
Favorite Book: Eragon
Years in Practice: 15
Kari
RVT
Kari is a Registered Veterinary Technician. She was born and raised in the Salinas Valley.
She has 2 dogs, a Frenchie and a Rottie, 2 cats, 2 goats and one horse. She took an animal care class in high school and then went on to get certified as a Veterinary Assistant.
In her off time you can find her riding her motorcycle, practicing archery, hiking, traveling and spending time with her husband and kids.
Years in Practice: 16
Alison
Veterinary Assistant
Favorite book:
Years In Practice:
Ashley
lead receptionist
Ashley is our Lead Receptionist. She was born and raised in Marina and has lived on the peninsula her whole life.
She has 3 dogs (10yr old Black Lab named Raider, 5 year old Chihuahua named Paisley and a 2 year old Terrier named Buster) 3 cats (7 year old Calico named Callie, 10 month old kittens Named Rider & Piper)
When she's not at work, you can find her on a baseball field watching her 11 year old son play ball.
Favorite book: 50 Shades of Gray Series or any good murder mystery.
Years in Practice: 16
Angela
Kennel staff
Angela was born in Monterey, and has lived on the peninsula her whole life minus a brief time in Maryland and Napa.
She has been in the industry for 3 years as a Professional Dog Groomer, before changing towards the vet industry where she aspires to be a Veterinary Assistant. She has 3 dogs and 2 cats and in her off time you can find her drawing, reading, playing video games/board games, sewing, knitting, rock gym, hiking, baking and doll customization.
Favorite Book: Batman The Long Halloween
Years In Practice: 1
Beckett
Kennel staff
Beck was born in Orange County, CA, and has lived on the peninsula for 7 years, including his 3 years at UC Santa Cruz. He graduated from UCSC with his Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Although this is his first job in the industry he has volunteered at the SPCA of Monterey County's Wildlife Center for about 3 years. He has a ball python named Jasmine who he adopted from the SPCA. In his down time you can find him making jewelry and metal art, spending time with animals, and hanging out with friends.
Favorite Book: Race, Class, and Gender by Angela Davis; and Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut
Years In Practice: 1
Cathe
Bookkeeper
Cathe is our Bookkeeper. She was born in Carmel and has lived on and off the peninsula for her whole life.
She has 1 horse, 32 year old Arabian named Chardonnay and a Beagle named Tulip. In her off time you can find her playing with horses and following/supporting her grandkids with athletics.
Favorite Book: Where the Crawdads Sing
Years in Practice: 10
Simon
Office Manager
Blueberry
Peace Keeper
